Mariachi Group Tucson Arizona Fiesta

What does a fiesta mean to a mariachi group or mariachi groups in general? It means a saint’s day, birthday, wedding, baptismal, anniversary or even a funeral memorial.

It is an all-purpose word that mean to us (us = mariachi band, mariachi group or mariachi groups) a party with great mariachi and great Mexican food. Also a fiesta is where the mariachis get invited to eat too!

But to an Anglo crowd fiesta means a party: An elaborate party (often outdoors) Audio English.org…but not necessarily the usual mariachi group definitions above. Fiesta under this definition could include a job promotion?

A great Mexican fiesta should include Mexican food, margaritas and mariachis. We, mariachis, welcome your invitation. Mariachi music enlivens the crowd and adds joy and mirth to your party.

So how does Mariachi Alegre play a fiesta?

First we go in playing Las Manañitas. This song is played universally for all functions including funereal memorials.

Las Manañitas: from About.com

Origin of ” Las Manañitas “

“Las Mananitas” is a Mexican song, a traditional Mexican song, equivalent with “Happy Birthday.” It is very popular because it is sung on everybody’s birthday and also in almost every Mexican party. It’s history goes back to 1896, when it was first dated as originating from a town named Zacatecas, it’s writer or composer beeing unknown. At the beginning of the 18th century, mariachi – which is a group of musicians just with violins and another two instruments, very Mexican instruments like Viguela and Guitaron – started to sing this song during people’s birthdays.

Meaning of ” Las Manañitas “

Since then, it’s a tradition that mariachi come to your home and sing this song for you on your birthday. Also, it’s very often sung in the early morning when we try to wake a loved one. There are a lot versions of “Las Mananitas,” but just two verses are sung at most Mexican parties. It means the joy, well…how can we say? It means that people love you when they remember the day of your birthday. All people are very excited about receiving this serenade on the morning of their birthday.

Las Manañitas, as stated, is usually played at serenades for loved ones in the early morning hours. Las Manañitas literal transition is “The Morning Song”. This song is the equivalent of the American Happy Birthday song (origin The melody of “Happy Birthday to You” comes from the song “Good Morning to All“, which was written and composed byAmerican siblings Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill in 1893.[ Wili[pedia)

Las Manañitas is all purpose song as stated but can be played for all occasions: Birthday, baptismals, anniversaries, weddings, saint day and memorial funerals. Yes even memorials. The song is a commemoration of one’s life lived. The joys and sorrows of living are shared with your guests. The mariachi gives voice to these joys and sorrow as expressed in the song.

These are the dawns
that King David sang about
We are singing here because today is your saint’s day
(or birthday or anniversary)
Wake up my dear, Wake up and
see what dawn has brought
The birds are singing
and the moon has set.

How beautiful is this morning
on which I come to greet you
We come with happiness
and pleasure to congratulate you!
All flowers were born on the day
that you were bornOn the baptismal pillar sing the nightingalesDawn is arriving and
the light of day is upon us.
Rise up this morning and
see what dawn has brought.

I would like to be alone
to enter through your window
And greet you Good Morning
lying in the bed.Four doves flew to all the cities
because today is your saint’s day
(or birthday or anniversary, etc.),
we wish you happinessDawn is arriving
and the light of day is upon us.
Rise up this morning and
see what dawn has brought

With jasmine and flowers.
Today I come to grace (adorn) you.
And today because it is your birthday (saint day)
We come to sing

Note: In memorials we ask first what type of mood the host wants to convey to their guests.

Returning to fiesta:

After playing Las Manañitas to (a) selected person(s). we play “En Tu Dia” which further commemorates the function (usually birthday) by telling in song verse that we come to spread joy and happiness with everyone especially the person whose holiday we are celebrating.

party (an occasion on which people can assemble for social interaction and entertainment)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of “fiesta”):

potlatch (a ceremonial feast held by some Indians of the northwestern coast of North America (as in celebrating a marriage or a new accession) in which the host gives gifts to tribesmen and others to display his superior wealth (sometimes, formerly, to his own impoverishment))

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Full Definition of FIESTA

: a public celebration in Spain and Latin America with parades and dances in honor of a saint

:festival; specifically: a saint’s day celebrated in Spain and Latin America with processions and dances

Mariachi alegre was very punctual
They mingled and played allmy guests requests. They worked well with my wedding planner at skylinecclub tucson. She coordinated all the music and events
Mariachi George was very flexible in wrkg with my planner. I would love to hire them again.
Mr and mrs huerta.

George and the rest of the band were great! They played for my mother’s birthday party in Rio Rico and were amazing.! Loved how they included the audience and made my family sing their hearts out. Mariachi Alegre is a definite rehire for me and even for my family. Every one had asked for their business info after they left so thank you again George for leaving me some cards! Thank you again!

3/12/16 Wedding Event“We hired them for cocktail hour at our wedding at Loews Ventana Resort. Many guests were from the Boston area and loved the music. The main color for the wedding was purple, so I asked George if he could have his band wear purple ties, he was happy to oblige, thank you Mariachi Alegre de Tucson!!!!! They were very friendly, arrived on time, were professional and very talented. We highly recommend them, and everyone loved their performance!!!!”